Should I swab INTO 5 mm pocket with plastic pick dipped in chlorhexidine?

I had quite a bout with periodondal pockets (4 and 5 mm)about 8 years ago, did the root planing (without anesthetic, not a big deal) in all 4 quadrants, started using a sonicare toothbrush, had cleanings every 2 months-- anyway within 18 months all my pockets reduced to 3mm or less.

I was fine for 6 years but had a slow increase in pocket depth and number the last year. Hygenist requested I go to 4 mo cleanings, but instead I started brushing 3 times per day (after each meal) and waited the usual 6 months. Just went to dentist and disease has stopped progressing, but 1 of the 4 mm pockets is now 5 mm. There was no bleeding or swelling in any location of my mouth.

Hygenist suggested I go to 4 mo cleanings and also gave me plastic dental picks (GUM brand) to insert into the 5 mm pocket for a daily swabbing around INSIDE the pocket.

A week later I called my dentist and said is it all right to dip the pick in chlorhexidine first, and he said that swabbing around inside a pocket with a plastic pick is not a good idea. So what to do when dentist and hygenist advice conflicts....

So is sticking a plastic pick into a 5 mm pocket daily a good idea, keeping it cleaner and hastening healing, or a bad idea that will expand the pocket and cause damage?

I have to say that it is painless for me to stick the pick into the pocket and there is no bleeding, and yes I am actually getting into the pocket because if I turn the pick sideways I can see the gum tissue on the side rise up and whiten.

The other change I have made is to stop all snacking between meals so that the teeth stay cleaner after each brushing. I also have started dipping a proxabrush into chlorhexidine and sticking it in between each tooth.

Any thoughts?

never heard of doing such a thing. I highly doubt it will help at all. No research done on this method I know of. If you have 5mm pockets, no home care item will safely reach down to that depth, which is why it is recommended to have cleanings done every 3-4 months, and possibly see a perio surgeon if that is insufficient to control your perio disease.

I would just rinse with the Clorhexidine and not try to swab it in the pockets. I don't think it will hurt to put it on the toothpick and then place it in the pocket BUT swishing with it will get it where it needs to do. Only medicine like Arestin, which is applied in the office, will actually help reduce the pocket depth when placed IN the pocket. Just rinse with the clorhexidine and ignore the suggestion of dipping picks into it. I am a hygienist